Selenomethionine

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ImageFile = Selenomethionine.jpg
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ImageName = Selenomethionine: chemical structure
IUPACName = 2-amino-4-methylselanyl-butanoic acid
OtherNames = MSE
Section1 = Chembox Identifiers
CASNo = 3211-76-5
PubChem =
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Section2 = Chembox Properties
Formula = C₅H₁₁NO₂Se
MolarMass = 196.106 g/mol
Appearance =
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Section3 = Chembox Hazards
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Selenomethionine is an amino acid containing selenium. The L-isomer of selenomethionine, known as Se-met and Sem, is a common natural food source of selenium. In vivo, selenomethionine is randomly incorporated instead of methionine and is readily oxidized. Its antioxidant activity arises from its ability to deplete reactive species. Selenium and sulfur are chalcogen elements that share many chemical properties and the substitution of methionine to selenomethionine has no effect on proteins structure and function.

Incorporation of selenomethionine into proteins in place of Methionine aids the structure elucidation of proteins by X-ray crystallography using multi-wavelength anomalous diffraction (MAD). The incorporation of heavy atoms such as Selenium helps solving the phase problem in X-ray crystallography.

It has been suggested that selenomethionine, which is an organic form of selenium, is easier for the human body to absorb than selenite, which is an inorganic form.cite web |url= http://www.consumerlab.com/reviews/Supplements_for_Cancer_Prevention_Green_Tea_Lycopene_and_Selenium/cancerprevention/ |title= Product Review: Supplements for Cancer Prevention (Green Tea, Lycopene, and Selenium) |publisher= ConsumerLab.com |accessdate=2008-04-20 |quote= Selenium supplements are available in organic and inorganic forms. Some research suggests that the inorganic form, selenite, is harder for the body to absorb than organic forms such as selenomethionine (selenium bound to methionine, an essential amino acid) or high-selenium yeast (which contains selenomethionine). A recent clinical trial found that selenomethionine had 19% better absorption than selenite; absorption from selenium yeast was about 10% better than selenite.] It was determined in a clinical trial that selenomethionine is absorbed 19% better than selenite.

References

External links

* [http://xray.bmc.uu.se/hicup/MSE/ PDB file for MSE]
* [http://www.ebi.ac.uk/thornton-srv/databases/cgi-bin/pdbsum/GetPage.pl?pdbcode=n/a&template=het2pdb.html&param1=MSE PDB entries containing Het Group MSE]